Ghana’s Ministers of Defence and Environment have died in a military helicopter crash in the central Ashanti region, along with six other people.

According to Ghana Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who described the incident as a “national tragedy,” Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the fatalities.

The Ghana Armed Forces had previously stated that the aircraft, which was carrying three crew and five passengers, had gone “off the radar.” The authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the crash.

On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the government, Julius Debrah extended his condolences to “the servicemen who died in service to the country.”